The Australian coastline is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and diverse wildlife, offering a stunning backdrop for countless memorable encounters with nature. However, a recent event has cast a sombre shadow over the usually vibrant marine scene, prompting widespread concern and alarm.
The Dolphin Discovery Centre (DDC) in Bunbury, a city known for its close dolphin encounters, has been flooded with calls from the public who have witnessed the distressing sight. The event unfolded near popular spots like Koombana Bay and Old Jetty Road in Western Australia—areas often frequented by locals and tourists drawn to the region’s marine life.
Locals and visitors alike have been left stunned and distressed by a heart-wrenching sight. A mother dolphin, known to the community as Suru, was seen pushing the lifeless body of her newborn calf through the waters, an act that has sparked a wave of sadness and concern across the nation.
Axel Grossmann from the DDC shared with Yahoo News the community’s reaction: ‘We had 50-100 phone calls [a day]. Suru is a prominent dolphin that we see almost daily in the bay, and we had no record of her being with a new calf. Only when we saw her carrying the deceased calf did we know she had given birth.’
The cause of the calf’s death remains unknown, though the DDC suspects it may have been a stillbirth or that the calf died shortly after birth. This tragic event has highlighted the complex emotional lives of dolphins, which, like many mammals, exhibit signs of grief and mourning. It is not uncommon for mother dolphins to carry their deceased offspring for days, a behaviour that can put them at risk as they often neglect to eat or sleep during this period.
In a touching display of solidarity and intelligence, other members of Suru’s pod were observed accompanying her, offering protection as she pushed her calf down to the sea floor to shield it from oncoming boats. The DDC emphasised the importance of this natural behaviour and urged the public not to intervene but to give Suru the space she needed during her time of mourning.
After five days, Suru finally released the body of her calf, which washed up on the rocks the following morning. Grossmann provided further insight into the calf’s condition: ‘The calf was fully matured and just under one metre in length. It had no deformities, like a peanut head or similar, and was completely intact with no wounds or injuries.’ He also noted that the mortality rate of dolphin calves in the wild is ‘sadly very high’, with up to 50% of first-time dolphin mothers losing their calf.
The high mortality rate among dolphin calves can be attributed to various factors, including predation by sharks, infanticide by male dolphins, health issues such as disease and parasites, and human-related threats like boat strikes and pollution. Suru’s story is a stark reminder of the fragility of marine life and the impact that both natural and human activities can have on these intelligent creatures.
As we reflect on this poignant moment in the marine world, it serves as a reminder of the challenges and emotional depth faced by wildlife. The loss of Suru’s calf brings attention to the fragility of marine life and the impact of human and natural factors on these creatures.
What are your thoughts on Suru’s mourning behaviour? Have you witnessed similar events in marine animals? How do you think we can better protect our marine life from the threats they face? Join the conversation in the comments below, and let’s discuss how we can make a difference for the creatures that share our coasts.
Also read: Beached whale discovered at American River on Kangaroo Island
